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DOST-7 introduces 'eco-efficient water infra'

CEBU CITY, May 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7) in Central Visayas introduces its eco-efficient water infrastructure project that has been incorporated in its regional office building at EcoTech, Lahug, Cebu City.

According to DOST-7 Energy Audit Team member Engr. Juan Edgar Osorio, this is called the Integrated Storm Water Management (ISWM) project that he presented in one of the PQPM-Learning sessions held recently at the DOST-7 conference hall.

Osorio explained that the major component of the ISWM includes the rainwater collection facility that collects rainwater from the roof of their building and storm water from the porous surface of the road.

Osorio added that there is also the primary rainwater treatment that removes contaminants or pollutants from the water collected by the former to avoid the cause of acute health effects.

He said after rain water is treated, the micro-membrane filtration system will reduce the microbial and particulate pollutants that may cause pipe corrosion and degradation, which eventually leads to increasing incidents of pipe breaks and failure.

The last process of purifying the collected rain water is through the reuse water treatment system. This process uses advanced biological treatment that eliminates nitrogen compound.

"Increasing nitrogen concentrations may incline the production of plankton leading to algal blooms," Osorio said.

This rainwater facility is controlled by a wireless monitoring device called the integrated rainwater administration system, Osorio further explained.

Excess water too within the building is diverted through the rainwater drainage system to avoid overflows and emergencies. The water can still be collected for reuse.

"Plants and crops are watered through the ISWM system," Osorio said.

The ISWM project is in cooperation with the Water Security Section of the Economic and Social Cooperation for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the DOST-7 with the Korean Institute for Construction Technology (KICT) and with the Erede, a private Korean company.

DOST-7 regional director Rene Burt Llanto and Engr. Juan Edgar Osorio presented the ISWM project of DOST-7 at the "3rd Regional Workshop on Eco-efficient Water Infrastructure in Asia" at Bangkok, Thailand which was ponsored by UN-ESCAP and KICT.